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Nineteen other cases of dysentery were notified. These
were proved, on bacteriological investigation, to be due to infection
by the Sonne type of dysentery bacillus. There were
many eases of mild diarrhœa occurring at this time. Although
only nineteen cases were notified as dysentery, there is on
doubt that many of the other patients were suffering from an
attack of mild dysentery of the Sonne type. Careful enquiries
were made in these cases, but it was impossible to trace the
source of the infection of any article of food or drink.
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia.—In accordance
with the Public Health (Notification of Puerperal Fever and
Puerperal Pyrexia) Regulations, 1926 and 1928, the Council
have an arrangement with an obstetric physician who acts as
consultant in this area. This consultant was called in to one
case in 1937. Facilities are also available for bacteriological
diagnosis.
Hospital treatment is provided at the following
institutions:—
(i) Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital Isolation
Block, Hammersmith;
(ii) Borough of Wimbledon Infectious Diseases
Hospital.
Two cases of puerperal fever, and five cases of puerperal
pyrexia were notified. Four of these patients were removed to
the Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital Isolation Block,
Hammersmith. In addition, two were treated in nursing
homes and one was treated at home.
In 1936 there were two cases of puerperal fever and seven
cases of puerperal pyrexia notified to the Department.
There was no death from puerperal sepsis amongst the
seven patients notified under the Regulations.
The cost to the Council in respect of the patients treated
in the Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospital Isolation Block was
£48 16s. 6d., of which amount £22 16s. 9d. was recovered from
the patients or their relatives.
Under the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, cases
of puerperal fever are now notifiable as puerperal pyrexia.
Non-notifiable Diseases.—The deaths from the non-notifiable
infectious diseases during the past eight years have been
as follows:—
71